"Panda Palooza: A Bittersweet Farewell at National Zoo"
The National Zoo in Washington, D.C., kicked off a nine-day celebration called Panda Palooza to bid farewell to its trio of giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their 3-year-old son, Xiao Qi Ji. The pandas are scheduled to return to China by December 7. The departure of the pandas will leave the future of the National Zoo's giant panda program uncertain. Over the years, the giant pandas have become a symbol of Washington, D.C., and have captivated generations of zoo-goers. The event drew crowds of people, despite stormy weather, who wanted to say goodbye to the beloved animals.